Overbooked: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'overbooked' combines 'over,' implying excess, and 'booked,' referring to reservations.
• It gained popularity in the 1980s as travel and service industries began experiencing higher demand.

Economic Impact

• In the airline industry, overbooking is common practice to compensate for no-shows, with studies showing a balance achieved between profits and customer satisfaction.
• This practice often leads to compensation claims and customer dissatisfaction when a booked flight cannot accommodate all passengers.

Pop Culture

• Various TV shows and movies depict the chaos of overbooking, highlighting the comedic and stressful situations it creates, envisioning characters having to share a room or a car unexpectedly.
• Reality shows about travel and hospitality often feature scenarios involving overbooking, adding tension and excitement to the narrative.

Psychology

• The feeling of being overbooked can lead to anxiety, which may be exacerbated by pressure to fulfill commitments.
• Cognitive overload occurs when too many tasks or events are scheduled at once, leading to decreased productivity and increased stress.

Education

• In educational settings, overbooking can refer to scheduling more students for a class than available seats, influencing learning environments.
• Schools may overbook extracurricular activities to gauge interest, sometimes causing logistical issues in accommodating all participants.